A God’s Tent Field Guide for Holy Week and Easter

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Introduction

We are living through challenging times. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all parts of human life, not just in this diocese, or this country, but throughout the world. For the common good our activities and our ability to gather is limited. As we come to the beginning of Holy Week – the most important week in the life of our faith – we are having to come to terms that this Holy Week will have to be different.

In this coming week we will not be able to meet each day to pray and worship together. We will not be able to walk through the familiar moments of Holy Week as we ordinarily would. Instead we have to find a way to mark this week differently.

As we come to the beginning of Holy Week we could be tempted to move in one of two directions. The first would be simply to opt out, to have a year off, keep our heads low, and pick up again when things are back to normal. The second would be to pretend that things are not as strange or as disorientating as they are. However there is a different path we can take. One way to come to terms with the spiritual discipline of our new circumstances is by seeing this as a time of ‘wilderness’. Like the people of Israel travelling towards the promised land this is a place of uncertainty and disorientation. But this does not mean that this a place of abandonment and solitude. In the story of the Exodus God comes close to his people by asking Moses to “pitch a tent” for him to dwell in. In God’s Tent, God comes close to his people. As we hear in Exodus 33:7:

Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting.

This is something we know a little about in this diocese. In the monthly pitchings of God’s Tent we find God in our creative reflections on the stories of scripture. This Field Guide is an invitation to do the same. This does not mean literally finding and pitching tents. Rather it means using the time we have to exercise each day and the space we have to do that in, to reflect on the Holy Week and Easter story in a different way. Using the pattern of worship we use in God’s Tent, for each day of Holy Week you will be invited to creatively reflect on the Gospel reading of the day. We will all do this in different ways. Some striding around the green spaces of our parishes, some from the comfort and safety of an armchair. These creative reflections have been designed to be as simple or as spacious as you choose to make them.

However, you do this – whether alone or as a family – this “God’s Tent Field Guide” is offered as way to experience this greatest story in a new way. To understand the sheer scale of God’s purposes for those he loves not from the comfort of our familiar pew and church, but by moving out into creation and find that story where God has pitched his tent among us.

How to use this Field Guide

Each day you will find a God’s Tent inspired daily reflection. These are designed to be as large or as small as you choose to make them. You can do these walking alone in your garden or together as a family on a daily walk or sitting quietly in a chair walking the landscape of your imagination. Each includes a bible reading, an activity, some reflective questions, and a prayer to structure this reflection. There is not a right or wrong way to engage with these daily reflections. Rather they are an invitation to make some space, to metaphorically “pitch a tent” in whatever way you are able, and through that be drawn with others, as they pitch their own tents through this week

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Palm Sunday

At the heart of Palm Sunday is the gift of the Palm Cross. A simple cross folded and created from a palm leaf reminding us of the crowds who, waiving their palm leaves, proclaimed Jesus as Messiah only to turn on him and shout “Crucify, crucify” at the end of this week. Today you are invited to find your own leaf and make your own ‘palm’ cross and with it reflect on where we will find ourselves at the end of this week. Bible reading: Matthew 21: 1-11

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Activity Find a long thin leaf, a daffodil leaf is ideal, and fold it into a cross. You might like to use this pattern or find an online tutorial video by searching “how to fold a Palm Cross”. If you are not able to find a lead you can also use a long thin strip of paper.

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Questions What does it mean to you to have made this cross? Where will you keep it this week? Who will you pray for as you look at this cross? Prayer Jesus, when you rode into Jerusalem the people waved palms with shouts of acclamation. Grant that when the shouting dies we may still walk beside you even to a cross; for the glory of your holy name. Amen.

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Monday of Holy Week In John’s Gospel Jesus’s visit to the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus is a final moment of calm before the storms of Holy Week begin. There Mary anoints Jesus and the room is filled with the sweet smell of this perfume. In this creative reflection we are invited to pause and wait for a sweet smell to fill a room and to rejoice in the gift of this stillness at the beginning of this week. Bible Reading: John 12: 1-11

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Activity Find something which will create a sweet smell. It might be a scented candle, you might be able to find some

flowers, or event bake or create something which will fill a room with a sweet smell. When you have found that thing take the time to sit and experience that sweet scent as it fills the room or

space you are sitting in. Once the room is filled with that scent read the passage again. Questions How long did you wait to sense the perfume? How might we serve Jesus by pausing and sitting as Mary did this week? How could this deepen your faith? Prayer Jesus the anointed, teach us to honour those who need our help, and we shall give without condescension, and receive with humility. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen.

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Tuesday of Holy Week More so than any springtime I can remember we long at present for new life. Surrounded by such a fear of what this pandemic means for us all, we long to find new life. But as today’s reading reminds us, sometimes we need to look to places of lifelessness to find life. Sometimes we need to wait in places where it seems there is no life to know what it means to find the new life God brings to us in Jesus. Bible Reading: John 12: 20-36

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’

Activity Try to plant something to grow today. If you can find a seed and plant it in from fresh soil. Look at the seed,

see if you can see any signs of life in it. Bury it and water it and place it somewhere where the sun will shine. It will probably not show signs of life in the coming days, but it will become a sign of life as it grows over the

coming weeks and months we are living through. Questions What is needed to make this seed grow? What do those things mean in the life of our faith? What things around us that seem lifeless would you like to breathe new life into? Prayer When all we are and everything we do are called into question, grant us dignity and direction, grant us patience; Jesus, be there then; For your name’s sake we pray. Amen.

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Wednesday of Holy Week In John’s Gospel, as in much of life, the night is a sign of fear and dread. So, when Judas not only leaves the meal early, but at night, we know that something it up. Although the clocks have changed, and the evenings are lighter we can still find dark places around us. Today we are invited to find a dark place and think about what those mean for us. Reading: John 13: 21-32

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

Activity Hunt for a dark place – either outdoors or in your home. What kind of things do we find hidden in these dark places?

Questions How easy was it to find a dark place? What can we do to change these dark places and the things we find in them? What role does your faith play when you find dark places? Prayer Most merciful God, by the passion of your Son Jesus Christ you delivered us from the power of darkness; grant that through faith in him who suffered on the cross we may be found acceptable in your sight, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday derives from the command or, in the Latin, mandatum, that Jesus gives us today, that we love one another “as I have loved you”. Traditionally on Maundy Thursday we do this by recreating the Jesus’ act of intimate service as he washed his disciple’s feet. What Jesus’ act of intimacy reminds us is that when we love other people, we naturally go towards them. But at the moment we need to love others by keeping our distance, by “socially distancing” ourselves. So today we are going to reflect on how we “love one another” in a world of social distancing. Reading: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

Activity At the moment we are all encouraged to wash our hands more often and for longer, for about twenty

seconds to be precise. Twenty seconds is the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice or the National Anthem. It is also the time it takes to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Today, pray the Lord’s Prayer each time you wash your hands. As you do this think of it not as a way to protect yourself, but as an act of love to protect others.

As you do that think of the simple things you could do to love others from a distance today. When you are able, and being responsible with others, try to do three simple acts of ‘distant’ love for others

today.

Questions What does it feel like to love others from afar? How easy was it to find things to do? How can we be intimate and love one another at the moment?

Prayer Infinite, intimate God; this night you kneel before your friends and wash our feet. Bound together in your love, trembling, we drink your cup and watch. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen.

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Good Friday

For centuries Christians have followed the story of Good Friday by following the Stations of the Cross which use moments from the biblical narrative as well as the tradition of the church, to allow us to walk with Jesus on the way to Calvary. Today, in our own way, we are invited to walk the Way of the Cross by finding and creating things for five of our own ‘stations’ so that we can be drawn into the story and truth of this day. Activity This activity is slightly different from the others in this Field Guide as it offers a series of short readings

printed below with an accompanying activity and prayer. You might like to do this alone or with others you live with. This should not be rushed. You will need two short lengths of string per person for this activity. First Station: Jesus prays at Gethsemane

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:32 Can you find somewhere really peaceful where you might pray and speak to God? Collect something from that place that reminds you of that place.

Lord Jesus, you prepared for impending death by praying for strength from your Father. Help us to find the strength to find our strength in you. Amen

Second Station: Jesus is judged by Pilate

Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:14–15

Jesus was put on trial in front of Pilate, the Roman leader. He condemned Jesus to death, but first had him

whipped and scourged. Can you use the string to make a scourge or whip by wrapping some sticks together?

Lord Jesus, you were whipped and abused for no reason. Forgive us all for the ways in which we have harmed other people for no reason. Amen

Third Station: Jesus is crowned with a crown of thorns

And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Mark 15:17–18

To make fun of Jesus his guards made him a crown of thorns not gold. Can you make a crown out of thorny branches?

Lord Jesus, the guards laughed at you in the crown of thorns. Forgive us for making fun of other people. Amen

Fourth Station: Jesus carries his cross

After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:20

Jesus said that we should take up our cross and follow him. Can you use the string to make a cross and carry it back to God’s Tent?

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Lord Jesus, you carried the weight of our sins as you carried the cross. Help us see the depth of your love for us. Amen

Fifth Station: Jesus is crucified

Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Mark 15:22–4a

The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross to crucify him. Can you find something sharp like a nail?

Lord Jesus, you bled for us as you were nailed to the cross. Transform our suffering through the depths of your love. Amen

Once you have followed all five stations you might like to gather them together and pray through them all

again one by one. When you finish you might like to say the Lord’s Prayer and this final prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, crucified for us, we kneel at the foot of your cross to watch with you. Help us to see the cost of our forgiveness so that we may be made new through your love; for the glory of your holy name. Amen.

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Holy Saturday

In many ways we are living through a Holy Saturday time; that time of waiting between the reality of death and the hope of new life. At this point of the Holy Week and Easter story there is nothing we can do but wait and prepare for what might lie ahead of us. And so that is what we will do. Bible Reading: John 19: 38-end

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Activity. Prepare and Easter Garden. You might like to look online if you can for suggestions of how to do this. If you can’t physically create a garden you might like to draw one. You can do this in you own garden, in a quiet spot where you regularly walk, or in a simple way in your

home. Use the things that you find. You might like to include the things you have created in our activities this week. As you do so, leave space for a candle. Prayer Grant O God, that we who are baptised into the death of your Son Jesus Christ, may continually die to sin and be buried with him, that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his sake, who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Easter Day

Since the beginning of the Church Christians have gathered, like the first disciples, before it was light on Easter Day to hear again the great story of God’s saving love and to recommit ourselves to that story in the promises of our Baptism. At the Easter Vigil a fire is lit and around it the Old Testament stories of God’s saving power are heard before a candle is blessed and lit as sign of the Resurrection and the victory of God’s love over death. Just because we cannot gather in church does not mean that we cannot continue to be part of this great tradition. Today’s activity can be done as simply or grandly as you like You can add to it and make it longer if you wish. The main thing is that we hear again that story of God’s saving power and recommit ourselves in the wilderness of this time to follow that truth in faith and hope and love. Activity If you are able light a fire, if you can do it outside even better. Even better do it near the Easter garden you made yesterday. Read in turn some or all of the following short readings, pausing for reflection between each one. Creation: Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

God’s promise to Noah: Genesis 9: 8-11

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’

The Passover: Exodus 12: 1, 14-17

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day you shall hold a solemn assembly, and on the seventh day a solemn assembly; no work shall be done on those days; only what everyone must eat, that alone may be prepared by you. You shall observe the festival of unleavened bread, for on this very day I brought your companies out of the land of Egypt: you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a perpetual ordinance.

Crossing the Red Sea: Exodus 14: 15-16, 21-22

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

Sprinkled with the water of life: Ezekiel 36: 24-28

I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

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At the end of this light a candle. If you have them you might like to light Baptism candles which you have kept. If you are able place the candles in your Easter Garden. Focusing on this lit candle read the following The Resurrection of Jesus: Matthew 28: 1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

Then say together, banging pots and pans from the kitchen if you want,

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

You might like to continue to light this candle each day as we continue through this wilderness time to

remind yourself of the hope God reveals to us in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. You might like to sing an Easter Hymn or this short-repeated chant which means “Christ is Risen, alleluia,

sing praises alleluia!”

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We cannot reaffirm our baptism vows in the traditional way this morning. But we can affirm our baptismal faith in the words of the Apostles Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Finish by saying together the Lord’s Prayer and this prayer.

Glorious Lord of Life, we praise you, that by the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have delivered us from sin and death and made your whole creation new; grant that we who celebrate with joy Christ’s rising from the dead, may be raised from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever. Amen.

Gather all this up with chocolate, and fun, and laughter and remember that although this feels like we are in the wilderness, God has pitched his tent with us, God is with us, and God in Jesus will lead us to new life.

Copyright: Prayers are taken from “A New Zealand Prayer Book © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 1988;

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Music is reproduced under CCLI: 938092

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